Long-running ambition (M-12 weeks)

Growing up, I wasn't much of an athlete.  I wheezed when I ran and came in last every race, which is why my love of running has been such a surprise.  I don't really mind the bad days so much because I'm still getting over the novelty that I run at all.

Of course, there's one obvious challenge with running.  Every year London marathon runners were paraded on Blue Peter.  It felt like taunting to me since I was as likely to run a marathon as I was to climb Everest or whatever other wholesome exploits were celebrated on the show.

But the more I've run the more I've thought: I could do that.  In the Runner's Handbook, Dick Traum is quoted as saying  "Anyone who honestly takes the time to train can finish a marathon.  You don't have to be much of an athlete, just patient and disciplined." The idea seems delightfully unlikely based on the child I was but I've decided to take the plunge.

The Brighton Marathon won't be until 2010 at the earliest so I've signed up for the Blackpool Marathon in April.  I know the area well, it's flat and I have family nearby so it looked like fun.

I'm now 3 weeks into the training program and it's going well so far.  I'm hoping for a time between 255 and 270 minutes and seem to be on track so far.  It's been hard work, but I'm very excited.  I only wish I could go and visit me at 13 to tell him what I'm up to right now.  He'd never believe me.

Comments

[Jonathan Pinnock]

That takes me back. I was a total duffer at games in general and running in particular but quite by chance found myself reasonably fit around the time of the very first London marathon. So I entered and completed it in 4 hours 25 mins. Wonderful experience.

Never done one since, mind.

Good luck with yours!

[James Burt]

I love the way you phrase it: "by chance found myself reasonably fit"... It sounds as if you were fit quite by accident! What had happened?

James

[Jonathan Pinnock]

Now that you mention it, it does sound a bit odd, doesn't it? All that had happened is that I was working in the West End at the time, and I was saving money by cycling in all the way from Battersea (well, Clapham Junction actually). Navigating your way round Hyde Park Corner was fun, 'cos they didn't have traffic lights there in them days. Or crash helmets for cyclists, either, come to think of it.